ST. NICOLAS OF MYRA
(SAINT FOR THE SEASON)
St. Nicholas Gift Giver:
As Bishop of Myra (Modern day Turkey), Nicholas lived the qualities that caused his fame and popularity to spread throughout the Christian world. His vigorous actions on behalf of his people and in defense of the Christian faith reveal a man who lived his convictions. Nicholas was not timid—he did what was necessary and was not easily intimidated by others' power and position. His concern for the welfare of his flock and his stand for orthodox belief earned him respect as a model for bishops and a defender of the faith. Children around the world know and love St. Nicholas—for he brings gifts and treats in December. He is known by different names—and even looks different from place to place. It is however, the same St. Nicholas who delights with small surprises and good things to eat.
As Bishop of Myra (Modern day Turkey), Nicholas lived the qualities that caused his fame and popularity to spread throughout the Christian world. His vigorous actions on behalf of his people and in defense of the Christian faith reveal a man who lived his convictions. Nicholas was not timid—he did what was necessary and was not easily intimidated by others' power and position. His concern for the welfare of his flock and his stand for orthodox belief earned him respect as a model for bishops and a defender of the faith. Children around the world know and love St. Nicholas—for he brings gifts and treats in December. He is known by different names—and even looks different from place to place. It is however, the same St. Nicholas who delights with small surprises and good things to eat.
St. Nicholas MMA fighter:
In 325 Emperor Constantine called the Council of Nicaea, which was the first ecumenical council ever held. More than 300 bishops from all over the Christian world came to debate the nature of the Holy Trinity, one of the early church's most intense theological questions. Arius, from Egypt, taught that the Son Jesus was not equal to God the Father. This was the Arian controversy which shook Christianity's very foundations. According to one account, when confronted by the unyielding Arius, Nicholas slapped him in the face. For such a breach of decorum, Nicholas was brought before Constantine, who stripped him of his office and had him thrown into prison. During the night, Jesus with his Mother Mary appeared to Nicholas: Jesus bringing the book of the Gospels, and Mary, the bishop's stole which had been taken from him. In this way Nicholas was reinstated. Many Eastern Church icons of St. Nicholas reflect this event with Jesus on the left returning the Gospels, and Mary on the right, bringing the bishop's stole or Omophorion (Bishop’s liturgical vest).
In 325 Emperor Constantine called the Council of Nicaea, which was the first ecumenical council ever held. More than 300 bishops from all over the Christian world came to debate the nature of the Holy Trinity, one of the early church's most intense theological questions. Arius, from Egypt, taught that the Son Jesus was not equal to God the Father. This was the Arian controversy which shook Christianity's very foundations. According to one account, when confronted by the unyielding Arius, Nicholas slapped him in the face. For such a breach of decorum, Nicholas was brought before Constantine, who stripped him of his office and had him thrown into prison. During the night, Jesus with his Mother Mary appeared to Nicholas: Jesus bringing the book of the Gospels, and Mary, the bishop's stole which had been taken from him. In this way Nicholas was reinstated. Many Eastern Church icons of St. Nicholas reflect this event with Jesus on the left returning the Gospels, and Mary on the right, bringing the bishop's stole or Omophorion (Bishop’s liturgical vest).
St. Nicholas gave in secret, alert to others' needs, and expecting nothing for himself in return. It is this selfless generosity which seeks only the good of the other that made Nicholas' gifts the gifts of a saint.
Lessons from St. Nicholas: Bobby General
1.The intensity of his orthodoxy (right doctrine) is to be admired and even to be imitated. We should be always ready to defend our faith to all even to those who with good arguments or possessing power of some sort and not be intimidated. The story above gives us an indication of how intense he was reaching the point of losing all control and clocked the heretic Bishop Arius of the Arian heresy infamy. This intensity according to my professor at the NSTI is predicated by his intense love for God and the truth.
2.We must be generous to others especially to those in the margins or those who the world consider as an outcast or weak and if needed stand up for them. He once was able to have the Emperor Constantine lower taxes for all citizens. This trait of St. Nicholas is what brought him fame and admiration throughout the Christian world of his time. This and giving gifts to children especially. Even now we recognize him as Santa Claus.
3.We must study our Christology and Mariology and put faith in them even when people question their authenticity, validity or truthfulness. We must not be swayed by false doctrine no matter how beautiful the argument and or if everyone around us seem to think so. This kind of faithfulness to God and his teaching can only be acquired by prayerfulness and constant study.
4.Lastly, we must be ready to be instruments of God’s love to our fellow men with particular emphasis to those who are weak in constitution (children & elderly), weak in economic status (the poor), weak physically, mentally & emotionally (the sick), and weak with limited time (the dying). Once St. Nick was able to prevent the execution of 3 men. Like St. Nicholas we must see Jesus in them and do try to alleviate their situation whether by big or small things. If not through material things, at the very least through our prayers and petitions for their behalf.
St. Nicholas pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering, the incarcerated, the lonely, the confused and the dying of today. Amen.
Lessons from St. Nicholas: Bobby General
1.The intensity of his orthodoxy (right doctrine) is to be admired and even to be imitated. We should be always ready to defend our faith to all even to those who with good arguments or possessing power of some sort and not be intimidated. The story above gives us an indication of how intense he was reaching the point of losing all control and clocked the heretic Bishop Arius of the Arian heresy infamy. This intensity according to my professor at the NSTI is predicated by his intense love for God and the truth.
2.We must be generous to others especially to those in the margins or those who the world consider as an outcast or weak and if needed stand up for them. He once was able to have the Emperor Constantine lower taxes for all citizens. This trait of St. Nicholas is what brought him fame and admiration throughout the Christian world of his time. This and giving gifts to children especially. Even now we recognize him as Santa Claus.
3.We must study our Christology and Mariology and put faith in them even when people question their authenticity, validity or truthfulness. We must not be swayed by false doctrine no matter how beautiful the argument and or if everyone around us seem to think so. This kind of faithfulness to God and his teaching can only be acquired by prayerfulness and constant study.
4.Lastly, we must be ready to be instruments of God’s love to our fellow men with particular emphasis to those who are weak in constitution (children & elderly), weak in economic status (the poor), weak physically, mentally & emotionally (the sick), and weak with limited time (the dying). Once St. Nick was able to prevent the execution of 3 men. Like St. Nicholas we must see Jesus in them and do try to alleviate their situation whether by big or small things. If not through material things, at the very least through our prayers and petitions for their behalf.
St. Nicholas pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering, the incarcerated, the lonely, the confused and the dying of today. Amen.
PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD
Prepared by: Bro. Bobby General, NSTI (New Saint Thomas Institute) (SJWP Prophetic Minister, Biblical & Liturgical Minister RCAM) & (CFD Makati Chapter President)
Introduction: John 1:19-28 (NABRE)
19 And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites [to him] to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?”And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” 23 He said: “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’as Isaiah the prophet said.” 24 Some Pharisees were also sent. 25 They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, 27 the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 28 This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Something humorous happens whenever I hear preachers ask the question, how many of us wants to see God? Almost all will say yes to that question for truth is if you believe in God, you would want it. The funny thing occurs however, when he asks, how many would want to see God tonight? Almost all will say, of course not now. Why? Because we all know that for us to see God we must pass away first or He comes in glory and judge us and we are fearful that we are not to be judged aright. The holy season of advent is a preparation for this eventuality. There is no cutting corners here, we will indeed face Him and the season reminds us to be prepared because (sooner or later) we will meet Him either in the particular (death) or general (parousia). By coming to the world, Jesus showed us the way to be ready by following His words and example.
In this season of Advent, we will encounter in the readings of the liturgy the austere figure of Saint John the Baptist, the Precursor of the Lord. He preached in the wilderness of Judea. His mission was to prepare and clear the way for the Lord. He called the people to repent of their sins and to correct every injustice.
During these weeks of Advent, while we prepare for the celebration of Christmas, it is important that we hear the voice of John the Baptist and respond to his appeal for conversion. In this holy season, through the voice of John, the Church invites us to open our hearts to receive the Son of God. Unfortunately, we can easily lose the focus of faith during these weeks before Christmas and fall into the materialistic mindset of our culture. We must not allow the voice of John the Baptist to be drowned out by the noise around us.
19 And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites [to him] to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?”And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” 23 He said: “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’as Isaiah the prophet said.” 24 Some Pharisees were also sent. 25 They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, 27 the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 28 This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Something humorous happens whenever I hear preachers ask the question, how many of us wants to see God? Almost all will say yes to that question for truth is if you believe in God, you would want it. The funny thing occurs however, when he asks, how many would want to see God tonight? Almost all will say, of course not now. Why? Because we all know that for us to see God we must pass away first or He comes in glory and judge us and we are fearful that we are not to be judged aright. The holy season of advent is a preparation for this eventuality. There is no cutting corners here, we will indeed face Him and the season reminds us to be prepared because (sooner or later) we will meet Him either in the particular (death) or general (parousia). By coming to the world, Jesus showed us the way to be ready by following His words and example.
In this season of Advent, we will encounter in the readings of the liturgy the austere figure of Saint John the Baptist, the Precursor of the Lord. He preached in the wilderness of Judea. His mission was to prepare and clear the way for the Lord. He called the people to repent of their sins and to correct every injustice.
During these weeks of Advent, while we prepare for the celebration of Christmas, it is important that we hear the voice of John the Baptist and respond to his appeal for conversion. In this holy season, through the voice of John, the Church invites us to open our hearts to receive the Son of God. Unfortunately, we can easily lose the focus of faith during these weeks before Christmas and fall into the materialistic mindset of our culture. We must not allow the voice of John the Baptist to be drowned out by the noise around us.
painting of the
young Jesus and
John the Baptist
I ADVENT:
a) etymology (Lt Adventus) which literally means the coming or arrival. The arrival or the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is a commemoration, the Holy Season of Advent. This is when God decided to come unto us in history and by His life and teachings restored our shattered relationship with God. It is a marvelous event and truthfully a cause for celebration.
b) Catechism of the Catholic Church (#524)
“When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming.”
c) We prepare for the arrival/ coming of the Jesus, the Lord:
Our preparation is to be able to have more of Jesus in our lives. As we reflect on the Mystery of the Incarnation, we should realize that in our lives today, there are more areas where we can allow Jesus to penetrate and become the Lord and King. Truth is conversion is a life long journey and the Church gives us the opportunity to be converted even further than we are in our lives right now. Like the Precursor John the Baptist who said, “He must increase and I must decrease”, the season of Advent invites us all to desire and move towards having more of Jesus in our persons. More of Jesus by the way we think, speak and do things. To have as a goal that when we go about our daily routine people will encounter the Incarnate Son of God, the Messiah dwelling in us. It takes humility to realize that we need conversion but that is a lesson we can truthfully learn from the witness of John the Baptist, the Precursor.
a) etymology (Lt Adventus) which literally means the coming or arrival. The arrival or the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is a commemoration, the Holy Season of Advent. This is when God decided to come unto us in history and by His life and teachings restored our shattered relationship with God. It is a marvelous event and truthfully a cause for celebration.
b) Catechism of the Catholic Church (#524)
“When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming.”
c) We prepare for the arrival/ coming of the Jesus, the Lord:
Our preparation is to be able to have more of Jesus in our lives. As we reflect on the Mystery of the Incarnation, we should realize that in our lives today, there are more areas where we can allow Jesus to penetrate and become the Lord and King. Truth is conversion is a life long journey and the Church gives us the opportunity to be converted even further than we are in our lives right now. Like the Precursor John the Baptist who said, “He must increase and I must decrease”, the season of Advent invites us all to desire and move towards having more of Jesus in our persons. More of Jesus by the way we think, speak and do things. To have as a goal that when we go about our daily routine people will encounter the Incarnate Son of God, the Messiah dwelling in us. It takes humility to realize that we need conversion but that is a lesson we can truthfully learn from the witness of John the Baptist, the Precursor.
II Focus Advent Character: John the Baptist
1.St. Augustine on John the Baptist:
“John, then, appears as the boundary between the two testaments, the old and the new. That he is a sort of boundary, the Lord himself bears witness, when he speaks of the law and the prophets up until John the Baptist. Thus he represents times past and is the herald of the new era to come. As a representative of the past, he is born of aged parents; as a herald of the new era, he is declared to be a prophet while still in his mother’s womb. For when yet unborn, he leapt in his mother’s womb at the arrival of blessed Mary. In that womb he had already been designated a prophet, even before he was born; it was revealed that he was to be Christ’s precursor, before they saw one another. These are divine happenings, going beyond the limits of our human frailty. Eventually he is born, he receives his name, his father’s tongue is loosened. When John was preaching the Lord’s coming he was asked: Who are you? And he replied: I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. The voice is John, but the Lord in the beginning was the Word. John was a voice that lasted only for a time; Christ, the Word in the beginning, is eternal.”
1.The Message of John the Baptist:
PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE STRAIGHT HIS PATHS. These words of Isaiah foretold the message and mission of John the Baptist. This call to prepare the way of the Lord and to make straight His paths was urgent and is still urgent. God came in the Person of His Son when the Word became flesh. This is what we celebrate at Christmas. He still comes today. The Lord invites us to receive Him and His gift of salvation. God invites us to accept His Son into our lives, to be His disciples in the world today.
What does it mean to make straight His paths? There are so many crooked paths that we can be tempted to walk. We can get off track in our Christian lives, falling into sin, walking along roads that deviate from our faith. There are many temptations to stray from the path of the Lord and to get lost along the way, to stray from the Gospel. During Advent, it is good to make straight the path of the Lord in our hearts by examining our lives, clearing the way for the Lord to act in us with His grace. It is important to look at our lives and to see where our choices and actions have not been in harmony with the Gospel.
Advent is a season of commitment and conversion in preparation for the Lord’s coming. It is also a time of joy since we are preparing for the celebration of Our Savior’s birth. This joy comes from faith in the Incarnation, in the fact that Jesus brings us salvation. In the midst of so much darkness in our world, we see light, the light of Christ that overcomes the darkness of sin, selfishness, and death. The Lord comes. He is not a distant God; He is Emmanuel (God-with-us). This is the cause of our joy, the true joy of Christmas that God not only exists, but that He comes to us and is close to us always. He came to earth to be with us and to share in our human condition. He came to save us and He is with us even now. He is with us in the Church and in the Holy Eucharist. He is always at our side, no matter the challenges and problems we encounter. He loves us and He saves us.
To experience the true joy and peace of Christmas, we need to prepare ourselves during these weeks of Advent.
1.St. Augustine on John the Baptist:
“John, then, appears as the boundary between the two testaments, the old and the new. That he is a sort of boundary, the Lord himself bears witness, when he speaks of the law and the prophets up until John the Baptist. Thus he represents times past and is the herald of the new era to come. As a representative of the past, he is born of aged parents; as a herald of the new era, he is declared to be a prophet while still in his mother’s womb. For when yet unborn, he leapt in his mother’s womb at the arrival of blessed Mary. In that womb he had already been designated a prophet, even before he was born; it was revealed that he was to be Christ’s precursor, before they saw one another. These are divine happenings, going beyond the limits of our human frailty. Eventually he is born, he receives his name, his father’s tongue is loosened. When John was preaching the Lord’s coming he was asked: Who are you? And he replied: I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. The voice is John, but the Lord in the beginning was the Word. John was a voice that lasted only for a time; Christ, the Word in the beginning, is eternal.”
1.The Message of John the Baptist:
PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE STRAIGHT HIS PATHS. These words of Isaiah foretold the message and mission of John the Baptist. This call to prepare the way of the Lord and to make straight His paths was urgent and is still urgent. God came in the Person of His Son when the Word became flesh. This is what we celebrate at Christmas. He still comes today. The Lord invites us to receive Him and His gift of salvation. God invites us to accept His Son into our lives, to be His disciples in the world today.
What does it mean to make straight His paths? There are so many crooked paths that we can be tempted to walk. We can get off track in our Christian lives, falling into sin, walking along roads that deviate from our faith. There are many temptations to stray from the path of the Lord and to get lost along the way, to stray from the Gospel. During Advent, it is good to make straight the path of the Lord in our hearts by examining our lives, clearing the way for the Lord to act in us with His grace. It is important to look at our lives and to see where our choices and actions have not been in harmony with the Gospel.
Advent is a season of commitment and conversion in preparation for the Lord’s coming. It is also a time of joy since we are preparing for the celebration of Our Savior’s birth. This joy comes from faith in the Incarnation, in the fact that Jesus brings us salvation. In the midst of so much darkness in our world, we see light, the light of Christ that overcomes the darkness of sin, selfishness, and death. The Lord comes. He is not a distant God; He is Emmanuel (God-with-us). This is the cause of our joy, the true joy of Christmas that God not only exists, but that He comes to us and is close to us always. He came to earth to be with us and to share in our human condition. He came to save us and He is with us even now. He is with us in the Church and in the Holy Eucharist. He is always at our side, no matter the challenges and problems we encounter. He loves us and He saves us.
To experience the true joy and peace of Christmas, we need to prepare ourselves during these weeks of Advent.
SUGGESTIONS ON HOW SHOULD WE PREPARE FOR
THE COMING OF THE LORD:
FIRST, MAKE AN ADVENT WREATH and/or a NATIVITY SCENE:
The wreath is a circle, which has no beginning or end: God is eternal, and His love for us is everlasting. The wreath is made of fresh plant material, because Christ came to give us new, everlasting life through His passion, death and resurrection. Make the Advent wreath the centerpiece of the dinner table. Light it at dinner time, and say the special prayers along with grace before meals. This daily practice will help each member of the family keep focused on the true meaning of Christmas.
The Nativity scene has so many characters that we can reflect on especially Our Blessed Mother and Father Joseph. By having the scene we see that the plan of God, the Incarnation of Jesus is the first step towards the fulfilment of our redemption. The yes of these 2 persons and the others will remind us that we must not forget that “Christ is the reason for the Season”. It is when “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1: 14) that signalled that our redemption is finally at hand. This child in the manger will eventually offer His life for our sins and the sins of all mankind. This child Emmanuel is also Jesus our Savior and Lord. The Nativity Scene (Creche) is not just a decoration, it is a proclamation of the God’s Salvific love for mankind.
SECOND, PRAY.
Hopefully prayer already is part of the daily routine, but if not, make it one. Schedule a regular time for prayer. Also, pray the rosary, individually or as a family. Ponder the various events in the life of Our Lord, and the example of Mary, “the handmaid of the Lord,” who gave of herself to receive the gift of the Savior. For this year in our family reunion and celebration on Nativity eve, we will pray the joyful mysteries as a family.
The wreath is a circle, which has no beginning or end: God is eternal, and His love for us is everlasting. The wreath is made of fresh plant material, because Christ came to give us new, everlasting life through His passion, death and resurrection. Make the Advent wreath the centerpiece of the dinner table. Light it at dinner time, and say the special prayers along with grace before meals. This daily practice will help each member of the family keep focused on the true meaning of Christmas.
The Nativity scene has so many characters that we can reflect on especially Our Blessed Mother and Father Joseph. By having the scene we see that the plan of God, the Incarnation of Jesus is the first step towards the fulfilment of our redemption. The yes of these 2 persons and the others will remind us that we must not forget that “Christ is the reason for the Season”. It is when “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1: 14) that signalled that our redemption is finally at hand. This child in the manger will eventually offer His life for our sins and the sins of all mankind. This child Emmanuel is also Jesus our Savior and Lord. The Nativity Scene (Creche) is not just a decoration, it is a proclamation of the God’s Salvific love for mankind.
SECOND, PRAY.
Hopefully prayer already is part of the daily routine, but if not, make it one. Schedule a regular time for prayer. Also, pray the rosary, individually or as a family. Ponder the various events in the life of Our Lord, and the example of Mary, “the handmaid of the Lord,” who gave of herself to receive the gift of the Savior. For this year in our family reunion and celebration on Nativity eve, we will pray the joyful mysteries as a family.
THIRD, READ SACRED SCRIPTURE.
This liturgical year, the Sunday Gospel passages are beautiful and so very rich in spirituality. However, do not just read the Gospel; rather, spend a few minutes reflecting upon it, inserting oneself into the passage, and allowing the Holy Spirit to speak in the quiet of one’s heart. It might be a good practice to have it read in your homes as family, the 4 Sundays of Advent and have a bible sharing if possible. Be faithful to the daily liturgical readings for they are designed to bring the faithful to have a deeper understanding of the season.
This liturgical year, the Sunday Gospel passages are beautiful and so very rich in spirituality. However, do not just read the Gospel; rather, spend a few minutes reflecting upon it, inserting oneself into the passage, and allowing the Holy Spirit to speak in the quiet of one’s heart. It might be a good practice to have it read in your homes as family, the 4 Sundays of Advent and have a bible sharing if possible. Be faithful to the daily liturgical readings for they are designed to bring the faithful to have a deeper understanding of the season.
FOURTH, TAKE THE TIME FOR CONFESSION.
Do a thorough examination of conscience. If it has been a while since the last confession, find a good examination of conscience material, and over the course of the week (praying for help from the Holy Spirit) write down those sins that come to mind. Bring that examination to confession, receive absolution, and do the prescribed penance. This is the reason why we had our “kumpisalang bayan” to which we Sacramentally (Jesus is Emmanuel in the Church through the Sacraments) received God’s mercy and compassion. I make it a point in the Parish of St. Joseph that we also have such activity during the holy season of Advent.
Do a thorough examination of conscience. If it has been a while since the last confession, find a good examination of conscience material, and over the course of the week (praying for help from the Holy Spirit) write down those sins that come to mind. Bring that examination to confession, receive absolution, and do the prescribed penance. This is the reason why we had our “kumpisalang bayan” to which we Sacramentally (Jesus is Emmanuel in the Church through the Sacraments) received God’s mercy and compassion. I make it a point in the Parish of St. Joseph that we also have such activity during the holy season of Advent.
FIFTH, TEACH.
For children especially, read to them the stories of St. Francis and the first Christmas crèche, St. Boniface and the first Christmas tree, or St. Nicholas who is Santa Claus. There are other good stories about the religious significance of Christmas. Talk about them over dinner or open a conversation in the table where you can speak to the family members about this wonderful season of deeper conversion. I will also post some short catechesis about the crèche, the Christmas tree and if time permits an excerpt in the life of St. Nicholas, bishop of Smyrna that few people know about and something I learned through my professor, Dr. Taylor Marshall.
For children especially, read to them the stories of St. Francis and the first Christmas crèche, St. Boniface and the first Christmas tree, or St. Nicholas who is Santa Claus. There are other good stories about the religious significance of Christmas. Talk about them over dinner or open a conversation in the table where you can speak to the family members about this wonderful season of deeper conversion. I will also post some short catechesis about the crèche, the Christmas tree and if time permits an excerpt in the life of St. Nicholas, bishop of Smyrna that few people know about and something I learned through my professor, Dr. Taylor Marshall.
SIXTH, PREACH.
To preach, one does not have to stand before a crowd or on the corner shouting Bible verses. There are subtle ways to preach Christmas: Most of us send some kind of greeting card, use religious cards and religious stamps and sign them with “May God bless you” or “I’ll be praying for you at Christmas.” When greeting people, say, “Merry Christmas,” not “Happy holidays” or “Seasons greetings”; people of goodwill will not be offended. Also we can use our social media accounts to preach or teach about this marvelous season. Defend the faith, speak the truth clearly and teach with love. We all know the hot topics, so be prepared. The angels announced the good news on Christmas; we too are to be the messengers of the Gospel.
To preach, one does not have to stand before a crowd or on the corner shouting Bible verses. There are subtle ways to preach Christmas: Most of us send some kind of greeting card, use religious cards and religious stamps and sign them with “May God bless you” or “I’ll be praying for you at Christmas.” When greeting people, say, “Merry Christmas,” not “Happy holidays” or “Seasons greetings”; people of goodwill will not be offended. Also we can use our social media accounts to preach or teach about this marvelous season. Defend the faith, speak the truth clearly and teach with love. We all know the hot topics, so be prepared. The angels announced the good news on Christmas; we too are to be the messengers of the Gospel.
FINALLY, GIVE OF YOURSELF BY DOING GOOD WORKS (Charity for the poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying).
Good works help heal the hurts caused by sin, including our own. Each day, do a good work — say a prayer for a person, help a neighbor in need or make a sacrifice for a special intention. This is your gift to the coming King of Glory. Whatever the good work, write it in the blank space. At the end of Advent, you will have a beautiful gift for the Lord. Bring it to the Nativity Scene in your home right after the Nativity Mass.
In the Parish of St. Joseph, we have a program called “Adopt a Family” where we give our less fortunate brothers and sisters and their families, about 500 or so families, their annual Noche Buena. Maybe you can sponsor one or more families knowing that your donation will give them and allow them to celebrate the birthday of the Lord.
Good works help heal the hurts caused by sin, including our own. Each day, do a good work — say a prayer for a person, help a neighbor in need or make a sacrifice for a special intention. This is your gift to the coming King of Glory. Whatever the good work, write it in the blank space. At the end of Advent, you will have a beautiful gift for the Lord. Bring it to the Nativity Scene in your home right after the Nativity Mass.
In the Parish of St. Joseph, we have a program called “Adopt a Family” where we give our less fortunate brothers and sisters and their families, about 500 or so families, their annual Noche Buena. Maybe you can sponsor one or more families knowing that your donation will give them and allow them to celebrate the birthday of the Lord.
Conclusion:
So, prepare this Advent to receive Christ as though He were coming for the first time. Make this Christmas a celebration of the birth of Our Savior and the great gift of faith we have received. By striving to live in the presence of Christ during Advent, we will receive the best present of all — Our Savior.
So, prepare this Advent to receive Christ as though He were coming for the first time. Make this Christmas a celebration of the birth of Our Savior and the great gift of faith we have received. By striving to live in the presence of Christ during Advent, we will receive the best present of all — Our Savior.